Albino Women Challenge Stereotypes on Africa’s Highest Peak
Six African women with albinism – a condition that leaves those affected with little to no pigment in their skin, hair and eyes – set out to climb Tanzania’s Mount Kilimanjaro earlier this month in an attempt to raise awareness about and fight discrimination against people with the condition.
All of the climbers have experienced discrimination, abuse, and even violence. In some African countries, it is believed that the body parts of people with albinism bring luck and wealth. In Tanzania, 76 people have been killed by "albino hunters" since 2006.
Ikponwosa Ero, the first UN expert on people with albinism, says that there were over 800 documented attacks against people with albinism in sub-Saharan Africa over the past 10 years.
The women hope to challenge widely held stereotypes by reaching the top of Africa’s highest mountain. Their summit attempt is simply called "Climb for Albinism".
"We wanted to show that we are more capable of accomplishing and succeeding in challenges that go far beyond the stereotypes that we are usually attached to," said Nodumo Ncomanzi, one of the climbers.
At 5,895 meters tall, Kilimanjaro is not easy for any climber. But for people with albinism – who tend to be very sensitive to the sun – it's a huge challenge.
"I’ve never had to deal with that much sun," Ncomanzi said.
Four team members reached camp at 4,700 meters before stopping on medical advice. Two continued the climb: Ncomanzi and Kenyan teammate Jane Waithera, who had to stop 20 meters from the summit because of a knee injury.
In the end, Ncomanzi was the only member of the team to reach the top of Kilimanjaro. But in countries where people with albinism face extraordinary challenges, the achievements of all the climbers are important in the fight against violence and discrimination.
